Brake Squeal
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 482
Likes: 206
I didn't replace my new pads, but I did switch to Hawk LTS as soon as my old Pagid/Brembos were done. They were not any more expensive than the Pagids, and so far, no squeal and less dust. The function just as well as the Pagids. They're also super-easy to change as a DIY, especially of you are not replacing the rotors (mine were still w/in spec). when i chnaged mine, it looked to me like the dealer did not bother to thoroughly clean the calipers of build up, or to grease the backs of the old pads. These are basic ways to keep all breake squeal down. Finally, the Hawks are very well chamfered - another thing that keeps squeal down.
All that said, I agree that now with several years of experience making the Q7, it's disappointing that Audi has not fixed this yet at the design/factory level.
All that said, I agree that now with several years of experience making the Q7, it's disappointing that Audi has not fixed this yet at the design/factory level.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 100
From: New England
My wife's Lexus pads squeal and produce copious dust too. Other upscale brands I've had as well. There's a trade-off between pad "bite" and low noise/low dust. They typically err on the side of more bite for [perceived] safety purposes.
But note also that if pads are properly "bed-in" or "burnished" there tends to be less noise. Most off the lot cars have not gone through this process, in fact worse due to test drives (much as improper engine break-in).
But note also that if pads are properly "bed-in" or "burnished" there tends to be less noise. Most off the lot cars have not gone through this process, in fact worse due to test drives (much as improper engine break-in).
Audi needs to fix this problem and not leave it to its customers buying aftermarket parts to have brakes working as they should. This is an embarrassment to the brand. But I guess if you guy are ok with spending more $$$ trying to fix a brand new car, why would Audi have a problem with it??
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
My wife's Lexus pads squeal and produce copious dust too. Other upscale brands I've had as well. There's a trade-off between pad "bite" and low noise/low dust. They typically err on the side of more bite for [perceived] safety purposes.
But note also that if pads are properly "bed-in" or "burnished" there tends to be less noise. Most off the lot cars have not gone through this process, in fact worse due to test drives (much as improper engine break-in).
But note also that if pads are properly "bed-in" or "burnished" there tends to be less noise. Most off the lot cars have not gone through this process, in fact worse due to test drives (much as improper engine break-in).
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: Rockville, Maryland
My wife's 2009 Q7 TDI hit 28,000 miles and the brakes started to squeal a lot and the brake pad warning light was flashing. I opted to replace rotors and pads all around. I know that I did surgery when I only needed an x-ray but with a known issue, i was not going to deal with noise and dust for several more years. I went with Adam's Famous slotted rotors paired with Posi-Quiet brake pads.
I have driven the car for two months now and there is no squeal whatsoever and very little brake dust. The new hardware - 4 slotted rotors and 4 sets of brake pads - was around $750.00. I did the install. I am very happy with the change and highly recommend changing the brake pads at the very least.
A final note, I watched a brake pad bedding process video and followed it to a tee right after the brakes were installed. I did about 4 30mph-10mph easy stops and then about 8 60mph-10mph very hard stops. I'm sure the proper bedding has helped as well.
I have driven the car for two months now and there is no squeal whatsoever and very little brake dust. The new hardware - 4 slotted rotors and 4 sets of brake pads - was around $750.00. I did the install. I am very happy with the change and highly recommend changing the brake pads at the very least.
A final note, I watched a brake pad bedding process video and followed it to a tee right after the brakes were installed. I did about 4 30mph-10mph easy stops and then about 8 60mph-10mph very hard stops. I'm sure the proper bedding has helped as well.
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I changed the pads on mine to Hawk LTS after 1800 miles. Now there is much less dust, however I get brake squeal now every so often ~10% of the time. Normally after running errands for a couple hours. Before the change there was never any squeal. I used up all the grease the pads came with so I don't think that's the problem.
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
I changed the pads on mine to Hawk LTS after 1800 miles. Now there is much less dust, however I get brake squeal now every so often ~10% of the time. Normally after running errands for a couple hours. Before the change there was never any squeal. I used up all the grease the pads came with so I don't think that's the problem.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 13
From: San Francisco, CA
Audi needs to fix this problem and not leave it to its customers buying aftermarket parts to have brakes working as they should. This is an embarrassment to the brand. But I guess if you guy are ok with spending more $$$ trying to fix a brand new car, why would Audi have a problem with it??
It's a really, really big vehicle and it's a fact that rotors glaze and squeal from time-to-time... it's been a problem since caliper brakes were invented. Check the other SUV boards... same complaints.
To: AOA... please let the brakes squeal... give us back tougher rotors! Please!!
Flame Retardant Suit is on... bring it.
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
I mostly disagree... the brakes work, in-fact work great. Noise is an aesthetic problem, not functional, in fact the fix from Audi up to this point has been to put super soft rotors on the Q7 which sucks a$$ because you burn through rotors now which is a REAL issue.
It's a really, really big vehicle and it's a fact that rotors glaze and squeal from time-to-time... it's been a problem since caliper brakes were invented. Check the other SUV boards... same complaints.
To: AOA... please let the brakes squeal... give us back tougher rotors! Please!!
Flame Retardant Suit is on... bring it.
It's a really, really big vehicle and it's a fact that rotors glaze and squeal from time-to-time... it's been a problem since caliper brakes were invented. Check the other SUV boards... same complaints.
To: AOA... please let the brakes squeal... give us back tougher rotors! Please!!
Flame Retardant Suit is on... bring it.
Wow, I guess Audi can do no wrong then. If you accept sub-standard quality, thats what you will get, and Audi is more than happy to give it you since you are apparently drinking their kool-aid. For me however, when I buy a $60k car and get asked by passengers why my car squeals constantly after every stop, well, maybe my standards are a bit higher. Some people just settle I guess.
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